Manslaughter charges against a fireman who owned a house in which a couple and three children perished in an arson attack have been dropped after he pleaded guilty to failing to take precautions to prevent their deaths.

Jay Brenton Liptrot admitted exposing his tenants to the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire, and as landlord, failed to take measures to ensure the property was safe.

Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her partner Liam Timbrell, 23, their 15-month-old son, Charlie and Lee-Anna’s nephew Bailey Allen, four and his two-year-old sister, Skye were all killed after downstairs resident, Melanie Smith torched a pram in the communal hallway of the maisonette in Maes y Groes, Prestatyn in 2012.

Lee Anna Shiers died in the fire along with son Charlie Timbrell, and niece and nephew Bailey and Skye Allen

On Tuesday, Liptrot was brought before Caernarfon Crown Court charged with five counts of manslaughter, but in a turn of events this afternoon, the jury trying the case were discharged.

Prosecutor, Richard Matthews QC said: "There has been careful consideration of this matter and I can indicate that guilty plea is acceptable to the Crown."He said the family of those killed in the blaze had been involved in the consultation over the new charge.

The Prestatyn house on Maes y Groes, where five members of the same family were killed in an arson attack

Judge, the Honourable Mrs Justice McGowan described the case as "extraordinarily unusual" and "very upsetting".

Addressing the jury, she said: “Mr Liptrot accepts that as a landlord, there were certain things he should’ve done.”Releasing Liptrot, of Gronant Road, Prestatyn on conditional bail, she told him: “You must realise that is in no way designed to give you any sense of false hope about what will happen to you. All (sentencing) options remain open.”The 43-year-old is due to be sentenced on Friday.